The Amazona and his dangers
Hazards and risks
First, these are the rapids that cause me the biggest worry, because of the risk of rocks or tree trunk’s collisions. All along the route, it’s the most obvious risks that will require every moment concentration and navigation’skills. The sandbanks are less dangerous but will cost me a lot of energy to get out of it.
Once the first 200 km have been covered, the water will become much calmer and gradually become even stagnant, thus the nightmare will begin wih the moskitos, flies and other insects vectors of diseases (mainly malaria but a lot of the other diseases or infections, a lot of them can be treated by indigenous plants).
My biggest concern will obviously to not meet bad people, especially with the Colombian guerrilla (FARC), with any smugglers or traffickers or so-called “River-Pirats”.
A minor risk exists, it’s to meet giant anacondas or pumas but this potential danger can only occur when I leave the boat. The famous piranhas and caimans are obviously not to be underestimated but I don’t imagine having a real bath and giving them an opportunity.
There is also the extreme solitude which is always a risk of mental disturbances. I rely on my personal experience (specially the 5 years journey by bicycle and on safari) but mainly through the writing and making of the documentary, I expect to keep me sane and occupied.
I am very aware of my own limits and consider this expedition very seriously and with all my respect. Mindful of my strengths but also my weak’s sides. Many people were involved and helped me a lot.
To resume it all, many risks and dangers are present along this journey. The factor “Zero Risk” doesn’t exist, mostly because I’m alone on a bici-boat throughout the Amazon and while I prepare myself the best I can, regarding safety and learning knowledges, it is impossible to pretend that everything is under control or that the expedition doesn’t poses threats.
The Amazona
Its area is 4 500 000 km2. The climate is hot and one of the wettest regions in the world. Thanks to this phenomenon, it’s the largest reservoir of biological diversity of the biosphere. The basement of the forest is rich of thousands of tons of minerals (iron, copper, manganese, bauxite, gold) but the land itself is extremely poor and contains very little oil. Its average flow of 185 000 m³ / s is higher than all other rivers on the planet. The water’s volume transported is even the equivalent to the six rivers that follow the hierarchy. With a length of approximately 6 500 km, this is the longest river of the Earth with the Nile. The Amazon alone is responsible for 18% of the total volume of freshwater discharged into the world’s oceans. It is also of a great ecological significance because of being able to absorb huge amounts of carbon dioxide. The Amazon and its thousands of tributaries, flow slowly across the landscape. This slope is so low that it is really the thrust of upstream’s water that pushes the flow towards the sea. Per exemple Manaus is located only 44 m above sea level
The biodiversity of the rainforest is extraordinary: the region contains at least 2.5 million insect species, tens of thousands of plants, and some 2,000 species of birds and mammals. A fifth of all species of birds can be found in the Amazon rainforest. The diversity of flora in the Amazon basin is the highest in the world. The waters of the Amazon are home to a rich and varied fauna.
Colonial History
During 1500, Vicente Yañez Pinzon, in orders of a Spanish expedition, became the first European to explore the river, running only his mouth by remarking that he discovered fresh water in the sea. But it was from its source that the Amazon was actually explored. The first complete descent of the Amazon by Europeans from the Andes to the sea was made by Francisco de Orellana in 1541. This descent occurred by chance: Orellana was sent to investigate to find food but driven by the strong current at the source of the Amazon, he could not go back and decided to continue to the Atlantic. The name Amazon comes from a battle that took place against the tribe of Tapuya during which women of the tribe fought alongside with men, as it was the custom (Hence the famous legend of the fearsome Amazon women).
Deforestation of the Amazon
The health of the "planet’s lungs" are for several decades in a state of great concern. Logging, clearing for agriculture and cattle breeding are the main causes of the decline of the surface of rainforest. Deforestation has caused further ecological disasters, the disappearance of many indigenous people and the depletion of some animals and plants’s species. The respective countries should do more to protect it but the western world have his part of guilt too.
The Amazon alone accounts for 1 / 3 of world’s tropical reserves. It is in the interest of mankind to save this unique place. Forest regeneration should really follow a cycle of twenty five to thirty years, and this rate is not currently met. Many perspectives are now planned to preserve this exceptional biotope. Brazil, followed by Colombia and Ecuador, create progressively reserves inaccessible to mining companies. 8 zones, of unknow area, remain today, entirely unexplored by modern man. Scientists have in turn developed a system to measure real-time reduction in the area, thanks to satellite images provided by MODIS, which detect rapid changement in Amazonian’s land.
As for the Indian people, they seem to gradually regain their rights last September, an appellate court allowed the Brazilian Guarani Indians ñandeva move back Yvy Katu, after an expulsion that lasted almost 30 years. Environmentalists around the world today expect real action on the exploitation of tropical timber: a recent study shows that 80% of timber would be illegal. If rules are met, the Amazon forest could replenish itself over time.
